Lesson SOC 34
Task: Take a walk or hike.
Prerequisites: ADT 1, SEN 7
Concept: Although the prerequisites listed recommend the ability to attend (ADT 1) to the task at hand and the ability to walk with a smooth stride (SEN 7), these components are not critical to enjoying the social event of a walk or hike. Many nature trails are fully wheelchair accessible, and sometimes just the experience of being in nature can promote attending behavior. Speed in completing the walk or hike is not an issue, but safety is.
Behavioral Objective: When requested and in agreement to go for a walk or hike, the student will complete the identified course for 20 trials.
Materials: An area to walk or hike that is safe and contains a reasonable distance based on the student's abilities.
Task Analysis:
1. Escort the student to the area where the walking or hiking activity will take place. Be observant for anxiety on the part of the student due to an unfamiliar setting. Attempt to assess (use input from other professionals, if needed) a reasonable distance for the student to ultimately accomplish. Have a light meal or enjoyable activity at the starting point but do not hike in this step.
2. After the performance of Step 1 reveals that the student is comfortable with the setting, escort, but do not force, the student to walk a distance that does not lose sight of the starting point. Return to the starting point.
3. Continue Step 2, increasing the distance until both you and the student have traveled a far enough distance to lose sight of the starting point or, if using a track, are at least halfway around.
4. Continue Step 3, reducing all prompting from physical to verbal step-by-step guidance until you need only the verbal request: "Do you want to go for a walk?" Observe to see if the student desires to go. Do not go if the student does not wish to do so.
5. Increase the distance to be walked or hiked until the target distance is accomplished on 20 occasions.